SURF

Home

Apply

Mentors 2012

Annenberg Memorial

Finding UG Research

FAQ

Other Internships

Amgen Scholars Program

NYSTEM Program

Current Program

Schedule 2012

Participants 2012

Safety

Rodent Training

Research Article

Research Article (concise)

Discussion Groups

SURF Symposium (pdf)

Poster Preparation

Jobs @ CU or NYC

Events in NYC

Personal Statement

Why Graduate School?

Previous SURF

Schedule 2011

Participants 2011

Participants 2010

Participants 2009      Participants 2008

Bio Dept

Columbia/Barnard students interested in the SURF, Amgen Scholars and NYSTEM Programs can begin applying on December 15th of the year in which they wish to conduct research. By applying to the SURF program, you will also be considered for the Amgen & NYSTEM programs.

The Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University offers Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships to a select group of motivated undergraduate students who will benefit from the opportunity for hands-on biology related laboratory research. This is a chance to experience the joys of discovering something completely new while learning to overcome the challenges inherent in scientific research. Most students work either on the Morningside Heights campus or in the biomedical labs at Columbia's Health Sciences Center (the free shuttle bus gets you there in fifteen minutes) . . .

The fellowship is competitive with awards based on grades, recommendations, and a personal meeting with the laboratory director. You may apply if you are currently a junior, sophomore, or first-year student in Columbia College, Barnard College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. No previous research experience is necessary, and you do not need to be a biology major to apply. Students are expected to work full-time for the duration of the program, so participation in SURF is not compatible with attending summer school, working at another job, or volunteering.

The SURF program runs for 10 weeks, from May 29th through August 3rd, 2012. During the 10 weeks of the program, the students work full-time (about 40 hours/week) on independent study projects under the guidance of a research scientist. At the beginning of the program the students also have an orientation program which includes laboratory safety and selected topics on biological research. In addition, once a week SURF students get together to hear a scientist present a research seminar or to describe their own research to the other SURF students. All students are required to present orally, write an original research article describing their research due in August/September and present a poster of their work at the annual SURF Symposium during the spring semester(February 17th, 2012). Participants receive a stipend of $4000.

SURF does not pay for housing. In addition to housing, you may be charged a Facilities Fee as a registered summer student. In 2011, the fee was $442.

Applications will be accepted from December 15th until 5pm on February 1st, 2012. Fall 2012 grades should be included in the transcripts. Freshman should wait to apply until they have all or most of their Fall grades. All recommendations must be emailed through the application website by February 1st, 2012, at 5pm. Be sure to submit your application with ample time for the people writing your recommendations to email them by February 1st.
For further information, contact Chanda Springer:
surf@biology.columbia.edu, 744 Mudd, 212-854-2262.

Under the auspices of the SURF program, 2 new programs for undergraduate summer research have begun at Columbia University. The Amgen Scholars Program and the NYSTEM program are open to undergraduates at Columbia University and Barnard College as well as other undergraduates currently attending a four year college in the United States or US territories. By applying to the SURF program, you will also be considered for the Amgen and NYSTEM programs. You do not need to apply to all 3 programs.